Some cookies are essential to ensure our website works for you. You may block or delete all cookies from this site but parts of the site may not work. To find out more about how we use cookies, see our privacy statement.

Product Support

Data Sheets

Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Buy

You should only use video converters and extenders if it is absolutely necessary to do so. In many cases, most video converters and extenders are not necessary if you purchase the correct cable.

The following table lists the maximum length of cable for common video standards.

Video standard

Maximum length

DisplayPort

50 ft. (15.2m)

HDMI

50 ft. (15.2m)

DVI

50 ft. (15.2m)

VGA

200 ft. (71m)

Note: StarTech.com offers cables longer than what is listed above, including active cables, which typically include built-in active signal boosters that allow for longer cables. Active cables are specifically designed to exceed the suggested maximum lengths and are tested at the listed specifications (for example, the maximum listed resolution).

Video adapters

Video adapters passively adapt a cable from one connector type to another. Video adapters do not change the signal type, or change the video standard.

Examples of common applications for adapters include the following:

DVI-I to VGA

RCA to BNC

Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort

Couplers (female to female, or male to male)

Note: You can use a coupler to extend a cable for a short distance. However, each coupler that you use can introduce signal loss, which degrades the signal quality.

Video converters

Video converters actively process and change the signal type from one video standard and convert it to another standard. They are typically used to convert digital to analog and vice versa, but can be used to convert a digital signal to another digital video standard (for example, HDMI to DisplayPort).

Video converters work over short distances from the source to the destination: up to 15 feet or 3 meters.

Video extenders

Video extenders convert an input signal to a higher voltage for transmission over longer distances and then convert the input signal back to the original video standard. The input and the output signal will match on a video extender, as the same video standard is maintained end-to-end. If a cable is extended with adapters or converters, the signal quality degrades.

Was this information helpful?Yes No

There are two types of VGA cables: 14-pin and 15-pin. 14-pin cables will work in most applications, but 15-pin cables may be required for wider display compatibility. This product is a 14-pin VGA cable.

Pin 9 was removed from 14-pin cables because the key signal became obsolete with modern computer monitors and was no longer used in the default applications of the VGA standard.

However, Pin 9 has recently been reintroduced as a power supply pin to power circuity in certain displays. This pin does not power an entire display, but it is required for data communication between the display and the computer. The data communication between the display (Display Data Channel or DDC) communicates display information such as maximum resolution and the name of the display.

If you are unsure which cable type you require for your application, you can check the manufacturer specifications. Typically, computer monitors only require 14-pin cables and televisions require 15-pin cables.

Was this information helpful?Yes No

Troubleshooting

When you troubleshoot issues with a VGA cable, there are some quick tests that you can complete to rule out potential problems. You can test to make sure that the following components are working correctly and are not the source of the issue:

Video cables

Video source

Video destination

To test your setup components, try the following:

Use the video cables, source, and destination in another setup to see if the problem is with the components or the setup.

Use a different video cable, source, and destination in your setup to see if the problem persists. Ideally, you should test a component that you know works in another setup.

When you test your cables, it is recommended that you do the following:

Test each cable individually.

Use short cables when you are testing.

There are several issues that could be causing you to experience an issue with the color on your VGA display when you use a StarTech.com VGA cable. Issues with the color include an image that is a solid color or is missing colors (typically red, green, or blue).

To prevent issues, make sure that the following is true:

The cable is tightly screwed into each of the ports.

The female connectors/ports are free of debris or anything that may prevent electrical conductivity.

No pins are bent or missing in male VGA connectors/ports.

Note: VGA cables come in 14-pin and 15-pin variants. For more information about VGA cables, refer to the following FAQs: